Litter box training

[spkight]

I've seen mention on here a few times that some have their B's trained to use a litterbox inside. We've been having a LOT of rain here recently in SC and it's hard to get them outside long enough to do their business (they won't go off the porch into the yard to go) and they end up messing in the crate at night. If someone could tell me how to teach them to use litterbox, I would greatly appreciate it.

[etzbseder]

Get a litterbox, they make them for dogs specifically too. You ca neither let them try and reward them, or take a pice of scat and put it in the box to help jumpstart the using process.

Although they think so, Basenjis really aren't going to melt away in the rain. I've taken Medjai when it's raining and just tossed him a foot or so in to the yard, then once he's out there, he'll hurry and go to the bathroom and come rushing back inside. You could also try that if you have a fenced yard.

[tanza]

@etzbseder:

Get a litterbox, they make them for dogs specifically too. You ca neither let them try and reward them, or take a pice of scat and put it in the box to help jumpstart the using process.

Although they think so, Basenjis really aren't going to melt away in the rain. I've taken Medjai when it's raining and just tossed him a foot or so in to the yard, then once he's out there, he'll hurry and go to the bathroom and come rushing back inside. You could also try that if you have a fenced yard.

Amen to "tossing" them in the yard…ggg... while I have been as wet as they are... they get the idea... or put them on a lead and take them out for a quick walk... they pick up going potty really quick... that is what I have always done with mine... in the winter when it rains in California... they totally forget about nasty weather... so a quick slip of the leash and a quick walk and they go asap.....

[Nemo]

I feel your pain. I just stood outside in the rain for 20 minutes trying to get Zoni to go. We're both drenched and she didn't go. Basenji +1, Human 0 Hopefully she'll use her litter box but I doubt it. I've never taught an adult dog to use the litter box but Zoni took to it pretty quickly…although she is a puppy and was paper trained.

[swfseeksB2luv]

This is really going to sound silly, forgive me but it worked I bought my b a raincoat at pet smart. It sounds ridiculous, and looks even more so, but my puppy will now walk in the rain. but i still have to push her out the door and off the porch.

[etzbseder]

I got Medjai a jacket when he was a puppy, but I got too lazy to put it on him whenever it rained. I also used to hold the umbrella over him, but now I just put on a hat and jacket for me, and take him in the rain.

[Benkura]

You should try living in Scotland!! The poor Bs have no choice but to peepee in the rain!! I go to the backdoor with them and watch them. I say 'Go have a Pee Pee' and give them a gentle nudge outside. If they come back and haven't done it, I give them another gentle nudge and repeat the command 'PeePee'. They soon realise that if they do a peepee first time round, they get back into the warm, dry house sooner!! HAHA

[renaultf1]

I agree with the posters who have said to just keep them outside until they go…of course, that means you'll probably need to get wet too.

Ruby & Brando (4yo each) both learned early on that if it rains, they are still going out in it and getting walked in it (unless it is a major downpour - but even in that case, they go out when it has let up slightly). Brando minds the rain less than Ruby, but both realize they don't have a say in it...it just makes them do their business quicker. If I just let them out and didn't join them outside, I'm sure they would not go and would stay on the porch or under the porch. But because I too go out and get wet, they both get their business done (either on the walk or in the yard after the walk). I don't let them in the house until both have gone and in fact, won't even walk to the steps if one is holding out.

With Liyah (5mo), it is a little different. Not to rub it in...but Liyah LOVES the rain. She is no different about going out in the rain than she is if it is sunny. She sometimes stands there with her head up in the air just letting the rain hit her face :D:D. She explores the yard and even when she has done her business, she doesn't run right back to the steps to go in. It is pretty funny, because Ruby will run off the porch to check on her (and tell her to "hurry up") so that they can all go back in the house. Once I've seen Liyah do her business, if she doesn't want to come in, I leave her out in the rain. Because Liyah ends up getting soaked, both Ruby and Brando lick her dry when they are back inside.:D:D:D

[Basenjimamma]

I used to have a mutt that refused to go outside in rain, and it got the point were my hubby had to have an umbrella over him, or else he would not step foot outside. Silly I know, but hey, gotta do what you gotta do. That dog passed away last month and now no more umbrella walking for us. Otis "better" get used to the rain or learn how to pee on a the pot..which could be a funny sight..lol. I seriousloy thought about getting Lou ( the mutt) a raincoat, but my husband said flatout NO, no babying him…yet he walked him with an umbrella..poor Lou.

[Shaye's Mom]

Shaye does not like going out in the rain, but I take my umbrella, hitch her up, and out we go - she drags for a few feet, with her feet set solid, but soon realizes wet sidewalks are slippery, and gives up - she walks very quickly to the first available field, pees quick, then turns and trots back home double speed. She'll never like it, but she knows it's inevitable. As to the litterbox, I have to change one for my cat, which is bad enough. DOG poop in a litterbox is not going to happen here. Very few B's are going to be willing to walk out in the rain, but most of them will do it when there's no other option.

[spkight]

Thanks for all the feedback. Today was our first day in quite a while with no rain so far (fingers crossed that we don't have any later). I actually have a fenced backyard for them to go out in. Problem is, if it's raining, they'll just sit on the stoop, plastered to the door, trying to stay under the eaves of the house so they won't get wet. It's actually quite a funny looking site to see them doing this. But they end up not doing any toileting and then cannot hold it through the night in the crate. I may end up just getting my umbrella and going out there and staying with them until they go. Then maybe, they'll eventually get the message that we won't go back inside until they "go".

[wizard]

Gossy doesn't mind doing her business in the rain but with previous beasties I did the umbrella and raincoat thing - eventually the spruce tree grew big enough to provide a dry spot. Whatever works I say.

[Kananga]

Wanted to get some opinions on training an adult Basenji with using a litter box. The issues I have been having lately with Kananga's urination have been wearing me thin. Even though I've taken him out every 3-4 hours, he can still have an accident. Granted this is a temporary issue, I have wondered the possibilities of litter box training. I do live in a hi-rise and it would save me a lot of time not having to take him out several time a day. And especially with the winters around here I would be far less miserable standing outside when its below zero.

The other benefit I thought of is when I'm gone for an extended period of time. I always worry about him holding his bladder and have to find someone to watch him if I'm gone for more than 12 hours. He doesn't have the luxury of a doggy door and a backyard. I read that basenjis can be litter box trained, but the question is, is an adult basenji (just over a year old) capable of adapting?

I just think he'd be a lot happier with the ease of going when he wants versus having to wait long periods of times. Not to mention the frustration with the cold temps in the winter.

[Rita Jean]

I do not like litter or puppy pads but in my little world I would much rather have puppy pads. Litter gets wet and they go back and they step into it what a mess. The pads how ever at least are better in that area. Bad thing I have had is when that start using a puppy pad it is a mess to stop it. Could put pad by door so at least he would know potty by door or to go outside. I am sure someone on here will know better than me about litter. Good luck.

Rita Jean

[Kananga]

@Rita:

I do not like litter or puppy pads but in my little world I would much rather have puppy pads. Litter gets wet and they go back and they step into it what a mess. The pads how ever at least are better in that area. Bad thing I have had is when that start using a puppy pad it is a mess to stop it. Could put pad by door so at least he would know potty by door or to go outside. I am sure someone on here will know better than me about litter. Good luck.

Rita Jean

I have been looking at this specific litter, meant for dogs.

http://www.doglitter.com/GetPage.aspx?ContentID=241&MenuItemID=17

I thought about pads but I wasn't sure how effective they are.

[Rita Jean]

I bought the ones at Wal-Mart in a green bag came in 100 and I think bag of 32. When I got Jaycee he said this is the name of the puppy pads she is broke to and I said ok. I do not know what they were I just went to Wal-Mart and she knew what they were just as soon I put it on the floor. I had a time getting her to stop using them. I never had a mess always on pad you buy like a holder to put them in so do not slide around I never did. I think if you go to www.upco and type in puppy pads they have the holder. I do not know what the litter cost it may be better not sure.

Rita Jean

[Kananga]

@Rita:

I bought the ones at Wal-Mart in a green bag came in 100 and I think bag of 32. When I got Jaycee he said this is the name of the puppy pads she is broke to and I said ok. I do not know what they were I just went to Wal-Mart and she knew what they were just as soon I put it on the floor. I had a time getting her to stop using them. I never had a mess always on pad you buy like a holder to put them in so do not slide around I never did. I think if you go to www.upco and type in puppy pads they have the holder. I do not know what the litter cost it may be better not sure.

Rita Jean

I guess I assumed that a litter box is more of a permanent solution compared to the pads, which are common with puppies. I could be wrong.

If the pads are suitable for a permanent solution I would without a doubt consider them.

[Basenjimamma]

I know that you can use a piece of sod (grass) in a shallow litterbox, and it will act like the yard outside as well as potentially will look "nicer" in your home. I did some research on it when I first got Otis about 2 months ago, but decided he didn't need it, since he learned so quickly to ask to go outside. Just a thought..
I do have pads (puppy) out if we are gone long times, not for OTis to use but my daughters 1 year old schnorkie she uses it. She can hold it longer, but piddles inside as if to say…she wants to go out but nobody was here.. so here take that...attitude

[Kananga]

Anyone heard of Pooch Pads? I was reading reviews and it sounds like a very nice solution.

http://www.poochpad.com/FAQ_page.html

[Terry]

We train our puppies using Feline Pine/Pine Fresh litter. It turns to sawdust when wet, so doesn't make a mess (except when they do the B 500 through the box and scatter it!) Have not tried it with adults who have never used it, but I'm sure it could be done. The only problem with older males is if they are leg lifters - their aim is not always great!

Terry